In Hell's Thirteenth Degree Cinema:
"The time... has come!" Julian announced as the actors swiftly pushed open the doors and rushed into the screening room.
Once inside, they immediately began searching for their fellow actors' positions.
Allen entered and, at first glance, saw Edith. She was unconscious, lying on a seat. However, the fact that she had returned indicated she was still alive.
She was alive!
...
When Edith awoke from her stupor, she found herself in Julian's room.
"You've finally awakened," Julian said, looking at her lying on the bed. "Considering it was a mid-level difficulty horror film, you've truly survived by the skin of your teeth."
"It seems I've once again cheated death," Edith chuckled softly. "And this time, I even gained something."
"Did you overuse your spiritual medium abilities?"
"Yes, almost to the point where my redemption tickets would have gone negative. If I had returned then, I would have been doomed."
She then looked at Julian, Carol, Job, Donna, Nathan, and Allen and Martin standing behind him.
"What about Qian Xiaoxue and Jiang Zhe?" she asked.
"They both survived," Julian quickly replied. "Thanks largely to you. Jiang Zhe's real name is Pat, and Qian Xiaoxue's is Yang Hong. This time, we've added two more newcomers."
At that moment, Martin approached, his gaze soft and gentle as he looked at Edith.
In the final moments, the spiritual medium blood on the door to the otherworldly space had finally sealed it completely. Though Eamonn and Wu Zhaotian perished, Carol obtained the cursed object—the blood-red palm. Overall, it could still be considered a relatively good outcome. Eamonn and Allen had both survived The Horror Bus , so Allen felt deeply regretful about Eamonn's death. With Carol now possessing the blood-red palm, Allen felt a bit more confident about their upcoming film, The Phantom Hotel . Originally, he had planned to share Job's ghost bone with others, but that was no longer necessary.
For Julian, preparations for his new film, The Azure Sea , were imminent. He intended to trade his voodoo doll for a cursed object needed for the film. This transaction was crucial for him.
As for the two newcomers, Nathan took charge of settling them in, helping them choose their rooms, and informing them about the rules concerning cursed objects and awaiting their next horror film. Despite finding everything bizarre, Pat and Yang Hong persevered, having no other choice.
Everything finally settled down. The horror film New Neighbors had concluded.
For Allen, his focus shifted to the third horror film, The Phantom Hotel . Carol's acquisition of a cursed object was undoubtedly good news. However, he couldn't forget Donna's warning: "Be careful of Carol." Although he didn't know why she said it, he decided to stay vigilant.
Edith recovered quickly. That evening, everyone gathered in the restaurant to celebrate her safe return. Although dinner time had long passed, cold dishes could be reheated, and the wine cellar held many fine bottles. Everyone seemed joyful, even Donna symbolically raising a glass to Edith, highlighting her popularity. The newcomers, Pat and Yang Hong, also received a warm welcome. Both college students, Pat from Xiamen and Yang Hong from Nanjing, had been drawn into New Neighbors after picking up horror film posters. Their greatest fortune was co-starring with Edith; otherwise, they might not have survived.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Donna drank alone, unapproached by anyone. Even the newcomers, seeing her grim expression, dared not disturb her. Occasionally, Edith glanced her way, but Donna's eyes remained cold.
The meal lasted until past ten o'clock. Then, someone suggested singing karaoke in one of the private rooms. Karaoke was available in the restaurant's private rooms, offering a wide selection of songs. Many slightly drunk actors started singing, with the newcomers, Pat, taking the lead with a JJ Lin song.
No one noticed Donna slip away. She had drunk quite a bit and, stepping out into the dimly lit corridor, leaned against the wall, walking with some difficulty.
Suddenly, she noticed two new horror film posters on the wall ahead—both for August releases!
Donna approached and examined them, realizing one was her new film!
"Flight 444? I'm playing a flight attendant?"
Donna, though not as stunning as Edith or Martin, was attractive enough to convincingly play a flight attendant. On the poster, she wore an air stewardess uniform, her face etched with terror, surrounded by airplane seats.
Glancing at the cast list, she nearly sobered up instantly.
"Hell... Tenth Degree Cinema!"
She was to co-star with actors from Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema. Scanning the cast list, she was dismayed not to see "the Man" listed. However, she did recognize a familiar name.
"Alma! It's you!"
"I didn't expect to meet you so soon."
Her eyes blazed with fury and deep-seated hatred.
She read the brief plot summary: A wealthy family charters a plane from an American airport to fly to Hong Kong for the patriarch's funeral and will reading. The protagonist, the sole flight attendant, signed a confidentiality agreement upon employment...
After finishing the synopsis, Donna smirked coldly, her hand pressing against the poster, her expression hardening.
Then, a voice came from behind.
"As expected, it involves 'the Man,' doesn't it?"
Donna turned around to see Edith standing there.
"Should I congratulate you? Or are you disappointed that 'the Man' isn't in this film?"
Donna remained silent.
"You still won't tell me what happened, thinking I can't figure it out? You're willing to risk your life but not share the truth? Do you want me to regret it later? We're comrades!"
"Comrades?" Donna sneered, suddenly turning and pulling up her shirt to reveal a horrifically pale man's face tattooed across her back, covering most of it.
"Do you understand the pain of each needle piercing my skin? Why I endured it?"
Edith reached out, carefully tracing the tattoo with her fingers.
"When you first joined the cinema, I remember you attempted suicide. If I hadn't found you in time, you'd be dead. You lacked the courage to face real horror films, choosing death instead. I promised to protect you, risking my own life if necessary. My words were sincere then, and they remain so now."
"Yes, I know."
"So, you chose this tattoo?"
Edith pulled Donna close, her face inches from hers. "Tell me! Are you afraid I'll abandon you? That I won't help? But how can I help if you don't tell me?"
"'The Man!'" Donna grabbed Edith's collar, shouting, "It's because of him! Julian says we must endure for the greater good, that sacrifices must be made. But why must I be the one to sacrifice?"
With that, she abruptly pushed Edith away.
"No... I don't want your help because I don't want you to die."
"Donna!"
"My affairs are none of your concern, Edith!"
Without another word, she walked away.
Edith stared at the poster on the wall, contemplating the terrified flight attendant "Donna" depicted there.
Though their voices were loud, the noise from Pat's karaoke singing drowned them out, ensuring no one else heard.
Back in her room, Donna rushed into the bathroom. Stripping off her clothes, she gazed at the terrifying tattoo in the mirror, closed her eyes, and turned on the shower. As hot water cascaded over her body, memories flooded her mind.
"Just become our comrade, and I'll protect you at all costs!"
"Donna, you can't recite lines so stiffly; you're not a newcomer anymore!"
"Donna, if you could go back, what would you do?"
"If... if I could go back..."
Finally, she curled up, squatting in the shower. The tattoo became blurred by the steam rising from the hot water.
I...
Can never go back...
That was the only thought echoing in Donna's mind.
After a long while, she lifted her head, her gaze once again cloaked in absolute coldness.
Alma. This is just the beginning.
The face of "the Man" appeared vividly in Donna's mind, a face she would never forget.
That was the only time Donna and "the Man" ever met.
After showering, she dried herself, gently touching the tattoo on her back. This curse had been inscribed from the start.
Regardless of the outcome, she would not waver in her resolve.
So... Edith, you needn't help me, but don't hinder me either!